Judgments

A circuit court judge's order in a civil suit is automatically recorded as a judgment in the Circuit Court Clerk's office. Orders of general district court judges are automatically recorded as judgments in the general district court clerk's office. Although all judgments are permanently archived, general district court judgments remain valid for 10 years from the date of the judgment, and circuit court judgments remain valid for 20 years from the date of the judgment.

A certified abstract of a general district court judgment may be brought to the Circuit Court Clerk's Office to be recorded for a fee of $10, payable by cash, check or with a Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card. The following service fees will apply if using a Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card: The service fee for charges $50 and under will be $2. The service fee for charges over $50 will be assessed at 4%. The validity of a general district court judgment recorded in the Circuit Court Clerk's office is 20 years from the date of the judgment.

Judgments are searchable by party names in the public records room of the Office of the Clerk of Circuit Court on the third floor of the Roanoke City Courthouse. Online access is available only through a prepaid yearly subscription service.